One Step at a Time!!!

Katelyn is going to be 1 next Wednesday. Just a week before her birthday, she is taking her first steps. She walks 5 steps at a time. I am excited that she is starting to walk (less baggage I have to carry); however, here comes another kid for me to chase and keep track of.

Congratulations Katelyn on your milestone.

Trivial Question

This is a trivial question (at least for me), here it goes:

If you could live anywhere in the U.S., where would you live?

Just curious.

The Conclusion of our Trip

The conclusion of our trip out to Utah and California. Here are the highlights:

Aug 7th:

• Aunt Joan, Donna, my Mom and I spent the afternoon at the movies, "Julie & Julia". For those of you who like Julia Child, you would love it. Meryl Streep did a fantastic job.
• Aunt Donna and I spent the evening watching little kids, while others went to a baseball game and my parents met up with one of my Dad's old friends for dinner.

Aug 8th:

• The whole family went to Huntington Beach for our Annual Clayton Reunion.
• We enjoyed visiting with family I haven't seen in a long time.
• Tressa, my Mom and Dad and I had a great time playing in or near the ocean and the sand.
• We roasted hot dogs and s'mores in the fire pit.
• We also had fun looking for and collecting seashells. I remember doing that as a child with my Mom whenever we would go to the beach.

Tressa as a mermaid.

"Shark Attack!"

Have you ever seen an octopus with seaweed hair?

Aug 9th:

• We headed home to Utah. Before we left L.A., we went to visit my brother's, Aaron, grave.
• On the way, we stopped in St. George to visit with Ken's Grandma Avery and her husband, Lorraine.
  
• They treated us to dinner at Chuck-a-Rama.

Me and my girls with Grandma Clayton.

My brother's grave site.

GiGi (Colleen's Mom)

Aug 10th:

• I spent the afternoon doing laundry and packing for our journey back home to Peoria the following day.
• In the evening, Tressa, Katelyn and I were able to go out to dinner with my good friend, Melissa, and her husband, Rhen.
• For the rest of the evening, I went with my Mom to see Harry Potter. I think that one had to be one of my favorites.

Tressa and Katelyn with Uncle Spencer.

Aug 11th:

• My Mom and I woke up early to attend the temple. What a joy it is to have a temple within five minutes of your house.
• Early afternoon, we caught our flight home.

So long, farewell. We will see you next year.

Thank you Mom and Dad for letting us stay with you and visit. We love you. We always enjoy going to Utah and seeing how much it has changed. I am looking forward to our next annual trip.

Preschool Pics

1st day of Preschool

I just dropped Tressa off to her first day of preschool. I already miss her running around causing a ruckus, oh the little things you realize you love when they are gone.

Last night I asked her what she was going to learn about in preschool. Her first response was "Jesus". I told her that she learns about Jesus in nursery, but in preschool she will learn colors, shapes, numbers, letters and the spelling of her name. She got really excited.

When I dropped her off this morning, the teachers have everyone wash their hands and then go play with the toys. Tressa fit right in. She didn't even turn around to see me go. I guess that is a blessing in disguise. I am glad that she is excited to learn and grow. I can't wait to hear how her first day went.

I will try to post pictures later. My upload photos is not working at the moment. Stay tune.

Week 3, Part 1

We arrived in California safely (of course) after traveling in the car for 10 hours. I have to admit that my daughters are gems when traveling (why not any other time?). Tressa had a great time looking out the window looking at all the scenery. She really liked looking for Joshua trees and the gorge between St. George, UT and Mesquite, NV. We were at my grandma's house just in time for her delicious spaghetti and garlic bread dinner.

My two little traveling angels.

On Aug. 5, we relaxed around the house, trying to stay cool, while waiting for the A/C repairman. My Mom and I cooked a delicious Mexican dinner for our hostesses in appreciation for letting us stay with them. Later that evening, we watched, "The Soloist" starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downy Jr. It made you appreciate what you do have in life and to enjoy it. It may have had a good message, but my aunt and I agreed that it was too slow.

Tressa and Katelyn with Great Grandma Mary.

On Aug 6, my parents and I took the girls to Disneyland. Oh my gosh!! Tressa was in heaven. We were there from 11 in the morning until it closed at midnight. Tressa did not sleep at all, she was too interested in going on all the rides and looking for princesses. Katelyn was able to sneak in an hour or two of Zzzzs. Tressa's favorite rides were: Peter Pan, It's a Small World and Finding Nemo Voyage Ride. She thought the Haunted Mansion and Snow White Scary Adventure were TOO scary.

While we walked around the park, we were trying to look for Disney characters. We were disappointed the only characters we saw was the Queen from Snow White. (I didn't find out until later that there is a special area made for the princesses and that is where you go to get autographs.) That information would have been helpful earlier that day. Oh well, we will save her autograph book for the next time we go.

Towards the end of the night, we watched Nightastic on Tom Sawyer Island and the River of America. Afterwards, there were fireworks from above the castle and Tinkerbell and Dumbo flying through the air. Tressa kept pointing them out everytime they would fly in between the trees. When the show was over, we headed over to the Tiki Room. One of our all time favorites. Tressa was able to wake up Jose at the beginning of the show. She was volunteered to go into the center of the room (with all eyes on her, what a brave girl), this was the conversation with the Tiki Room employee.

Employee: What is your name?
Tressa: Tressa (very quietly)
Employee: How old are you?
Tressa: Without saying anything, she held up 3 fingers.
Employee: You're 3!!!
Tressa: Yes (with a head nod.)
Employee: Do you know what bird is Jose?
Tressa: Nodded her head, with it being her first time, she pointed to the right bird.
Employee: Can you say "Wake up Jose?"
Tressa: Wake up Jose? Following a sprint to the seat next to me.

Good job, Tressa!!

Here are some pictures of us at Disneyland:

In front of It's a Small World.

In front of the Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Tressa with the Queen.

"It's A Small World"
Having dinner at the Village Haus in Fantasy Land.

Tressa and Katelyn on Finding Nemo ride. Katelyn loved it too.
Tressa waving the whole time during the parade.

Week 2 of our vacation!

We started our second week on vacation celebrating my Dad's 60th Birthday!! Sean, Keli and the girls arrived late the night before from California. They came to Utah for Keli's father's wedding. It was great to see them and let the little ones play. We spent my Dad's day at Hogle Zoo with half of his grandkids. (We missed Bryan, Mike and their families. If they are reading this: We wish that you were there with us.) It was a really nice, not to hot day for enjoying the outdoors and a picnic lunch.

Later that evening, we had a BBQ for my Dad's birthday and those who had just recently celebrated (Tressa) and those who begin in August (Me, Emma and Keli). My Uncle Lynn and Aunt Rosanne were able to come up from Payson for dessert and presents. It was great seeing them and catching up.

Happy 60th!!!

Happy Birthday Keli!!

Happy 10th!!

Happy 3rd!!

On July 29th, we spent the afternoon indoors at the theaters to see "UP". I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did Tressa. It is unlike her to sit through an entire movie without having the wiggles. From what my mom said, she did pretty good. Katelyn on the other hand wanted to get down and crawl and eat. So I sat in the front rows away from everyone to keep her happy so the others could enjoy the show. I recommend it to anyone.

On July 30th, Sean and Keli invited me, the girls and my parents to spend the day with them at Lagoon for Emma's 10th Birthday. We went for the afternoon. Tressa had a blast at Lagoon-a-Beach until she was knocked over by 12 years old going down the waterslide as she was trying to go back up it (like kids do on the playground at the park, however, this was no park). She was a little shaken up, but I had her get back in the water so she wouldn't be afraid. We spent late afternoon and early evening riding on the kiddie rides. Tressa had a great time going from ride to ride. I can't wait to take her to Disneyland. She thought Lagoon was fun I couldn't wait to see her face at Disneyland.

July 31st, my Mom and I took Tressa to see the inside of the temple. We went to the Oquirrh Temple Open House. She was curious, every room we walked through she would ask, "What is this or that?". At the end of the tour I asked her what she enjoyed the most. She responded, "the COOKIE!!" At the very end, they had a refreshment tent. Before we left to go home, we stood in front of the temple and took pictures. In the afternoon, Tressa went swimming with Grandpa, while Katelyn and I stayed to visit with Kristen. Later that evening, I went back with Tressa and Katelyn to Jared and Kristen's house to play with the cousins and to visit. We had a great time.

August 1st, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME and EMMA!! I turned the big 27 and Emma the big 10. I spent the day helping my mom clean and cook for the party. My Dad took me and Tressa to Taco Time for lunch. Family came over that evening for a broccoli chicken over rice and veggies. Emma and I each had our own cake and candles. It is always fun to share my birthday with a niece.
August 2nd, we went to my ward that I had grown up in. It was great to see my old Young Women leaders and Primary teachers.

August 3rd, we spent the day playing in the toy room and outside. Later that evening we cleaned the house, did laundry, went grocery shopping and packed for California. We are heading out early in the morning.

Stay tuned for the conclusion of our trip to Utah and California. I hope that everyone had a great weekend.